Manika Batra Reaches Paris 2024 Table Tennis Pre-Quarterfinals

Manika Batra has made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the pre-quarterfinals of any singles event. The 29-year-old achieved this milestone by defeating France’s world No. 18, Prithika Pavade, with a commanding performance, winning 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Batra will face either Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu or Japan’s Miu Hirano in her next match. This achievement surpasses her previous performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where she reached the Round of 32.

Batra expressed her satisfaction with her victory, emphasizing that her primary focus is on the upcoming rounds. She stated, “I am happy that I beat a French player in Paris. I defeated a higher-ranked player. I did not think of creating history and making the pre-quarters; there are more rounds. I will take it match by match and give my best as I always do.” Her strategy to target Prithika’s backhand proved effective, though it was not her initial plan. “I had planned to play to her forehand as discussed with my coach, but I was getting the points on her backhand, so I did not change the tactics. I did play a few shots on her forehand too, I did not want her to think that I am playing only on her backhand,” Batra explained. She also mentioned that staying relaxed and practicing breathing exercises helps her during matches.

Prithika Pavade, a 19-year-old player born in a Paris suburb, has shown considerable improvement since her debut at the Tokyo Olympics, where she exited in the first round. Ranked 18th in the world, she had a strong run leading up to Paris, including reaching the WTT final for the first time in her career in June. Despite this, she struggled against Batra, who demonstrated a commanding presence throughout the match. In the first game, the contest was closely contested, with both players exchanging points. At 8-8, Batra forced a backhand error from Pavade and clinched the game with a powerful forehand drive that Pavade could not return. Batra maintained her momentum in the second game, quickly establishing a 3-1 lead. Her tactical adjustments and psychological resilience were key factors in her victory, reflecting her readiness for the challenges ahead in the competition.